Acadian Boat Tours, Bar Harbor, Maine Frenchman Bay Ecosystem Monitoring Project
Acadian Boat Tours is currently looking for an intern to join our team for our fifth research season monitoring the Frenchman Bay ecosystem in Bar Harbor, Maine, June 7 to September 15, 2026. This is an entry-level research position designed to offer experience for scientific individuals, and the ability to develop their professional careers in environmental monitoring and research. The project: This project includes monitoring various aspects of Frenchman Bay to gain a baseline understanding of the bay and to observe long-term changes in the Gulf of Maine. Historically, Frenchman Bay has been a productive hotspot supporting several major fisheries with reports of whales commonly within the Bay. Recent years have seen an absence of megafauna along with a shift in fish and plankton diversity. Multiple land-based sampling efforts have been utilized to observe the environment; this project plans to work in conjunction with those sampling efforts by providing a boat sampling platform. This project plans to utilize the presence data of marine mammals, pelagic birds, fish, and plankton commonly found in Frenchman Bay. Overview of the position: The successful intern will work on our commercial passenger fishing vessel and tour vessels, and when processing data, in our on-site ticket sales location. The majority of the intern’s time will be spent working as a deckhand and onboard scientist. The intern will also work with the scientific coordinator on data maintenance, quality control, and writing up a final report. Description of duties: Upon arrival, the intern will receive boat crew, naturalist, and research training. The successful candidate will be trained on vessel safety operations, vessel deck operations, and customer service in addition to project protocols. Some of the basic responsibilities include but are not limited to: preparing the vessel for the trips, assisting customers with fishing activities, cutting and gutting fish, daily vessel chores, excellent customer service, and ticket sales. As the onboard scientist, the intern will gain experience identifying fish, deploying a CTD (conductivity, temperature, and depth meter) and Secchi disk, and processing plankton samples. In addition to onboard duties, the intern is also expected to communicate with the State of Maine’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) about fishing efforts and activities, and the general population of fish. Pay/Compensation: The successful intern will receive compensation based on the number of trips they crew aboard passenger vessels and the number of hours they work post-processing data in the ticket sales location. Plankton data post-processing will be completed at a partner facility and will be for college credit only. Shared seasonal housing may be available to the successful candidate, depending upon availability and compatibility with returning crew, and for a fee. Qualifications: Applicants should have a college background or be currently enrolled in a biology, ecology, and/ or marine science program. Some prior experience with scientific study data collection is preferred but not necessary. While training is provided and no prior boat experience is required, time spent on a boat is also an asset. Customer service experience, while not required, is also highly valued. Due to Coast Guard requirements, all crew on board US commercial vessels (deckhands, naturalists, and science interns), must be US citizens or have permanent resident alien status. Also due to USCG requirements, the intern will be drug screened prior to employment and will be enrolled in a random drug testing program throughout the duration of the internship. Most importantly, applicants must exhibit a strong work ethic, stay positive and contribute positively to the dock community, remain flexible to changing schedules, demonstrate an ability to work independently, and be comfortable working on boats in a variety of sea states and weather conditions in the cold. To apply: Please send a cover letter detailing your reasons for applying, a resume/ CV, and two letters of recommendation via email to Kaitlyn Mullen at [email protected] with a subject line of “Frenchman Bay Monitoring Internship 2026”. Deadlines for applications is March 15, 2026.
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